Can You Drink Soft Drinks With Braces?

Soda is a tasty, popular treat, but can you drink soft drinks with braces? If so, can you take special precautions to avoid damaging your teeth and orthodontics? Let’s better understand the impact soda has on braces so you can make the best decision for yourself.

Can I Drink Soda With Braces?

Yes, you can drink soft drinks while you’re wearing braces. However, soda contains sugars and acids that can damage tooth enamel, and orthodontic appliances only complicate the issue.

Braces create additional nooks where plaque can accumulate, making it challenging to clean your teeth thoroughly. Brackets can also trap the phosphoric and citric acids in soda against the tooth enamel, prolonging exposure and worsening the damage. Furthermore, those same acids can weaken the adhesive that bonds brackets to teeth.

Additionally, take care with dark sodas and beverages like colas and coffee if you wear clear aligners instead of braces. The pigments and tannins in these drinks can cling to the trays and become unsightly stains.

Are There Ways To Make Drinking Soda With Braces Safer?

The best way to keep soft drinks from harming your teeth and orthodontics is to avoid them altogether, or at least reduce the frequency and amount. Some other tips include:

• Use a straw to minimize contact between soda and your teeth
• Wash away residual sugars and acids by rinsing with water immediately after drinking soda
• Opt for sugar-free and lighter-colored soft drinks to reduce decay and discoloration
• Limit the duration of acid exposure by consuming soda quickly

Also, regular professional cleanings help remove any additional plaque and tartar that regular brushing and flossing cannot address.

How Should I Clean My Teeth After Drinking Soft Drinks?

It’s crucial to wait 30 minutes to brush your teeth after drinking soda. The acids soften tooth enamel, and brushing too soon can cause further erosion.

After that period, brush your teeth using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Gently brush all tooth surfaces to remove any remaining sugars and acids without causing abrasion. Remember to incorporate flossing into your routine to remove stubborn particles between your teeth.

What Kind of Drinks Can I Drink With Braces?

Instead of drinking soda with braces, look for beverages that are low in sugar and acidity and have positive benefits for your teeth, such as:

• Water: Sugar- and acid-free; rinses away food particles with no risk to tooth enamel or braces
• Milk: Low acidity; contains essential nutrients like calcium and phosphorus that strengthen teeth
• Herbal Tea: Caffeine-free and unsweetened; lacks damaging acids and staining pigments

Fruit juice can also be acceptable in moderation. Dilute it with water to reduce the sugar concentration and acidity, and stick to your oral hygiene routine to wash away any residue after drinking it.

Follow Our Recommendations So You Can Drink Soft Drinks With Braces

You can drink soft drinks with braces, but it’s best to limit them to special occasions and follow our recommendations while you’re receiving orthodontic treatment. At Peterson Family Orthodontics, we want to keep your teeth as healthy as possible so that your braces have the most positive effect on your smile. Contact us today if you have any questions or to schedule a free consultation.